Analytical account of Groundwater Situation in different Districts of Delhi and its Comparison with Bordering Districts of Haryana, India

Author: Rajni Arora, Neera Mehra and Sushma Sharma

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Abstract

Groundwater is one of the valuable natural resource used in agriculture, industries, and for domestic purposes. It is present in the aquifers located below the surface of the earth in the pores and crevices of the rocks. The depleting groundwater levels is a matter of concern as it is associated with risks like drying up of wells, decreasing water in streams and lakes, increasing salinity of water, depleting quality of water and land subsidence. A comparison of groundwater levels from 2000 to 2022 brings a picture of decline and fluctuations in districts of the capital city, Delhi and its neighbouring state, Haryana. It also suggests that the situation of Delhi is better and improved in the last five years than that of Haryana as the percentage of overexploited assessment zones is reduced. Out of the eleven districts of Delhi, the South district has undergone extensive decline in groundwater levels and in Central Delhi water level has remained unchanged. The changing trend of groundwater levels in various districts calls for the differential extraction of groundwater depending upon its local availability. The study helps to identify reasons for depleting groundwater resources in different districts of Delhi, a metropolitan city, and neighbouring agricultural state, Haryana. It highlights the need for urgent steps to be taken for its conservation and better management. Suggestions are put forward to alleviate the problem of its scarcity and to attain sustainable use of groundwater.

Keywords

Groundwater level, assessment zones, overexploited, groundwater extraction, urbanization, sustainable

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that condition of groundwater levels in districts of Delhi is improving in the last five years except South district where urgent measures are needed to tackle the still deteriorated groundwater state. The condition of groundwater situation in Delhi (metropolitan city) is better than Haryana (agricultural state) though the reasons of decline in both the states are different. Increasing dependence of agriculture sector of Haryana on groundwater is a challenge to be tackled judiciously. Government initiatives along with sensitization and awareness in public is required for sustainable use of groundwater.

References

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How to cite this article

Rajni Arora, Neera Mehra and Sushma Sharma (2023). Analytical Account of Groundwater Situation in Different Districts of Delhi and its Comparison with Bordering Districts of Haryana, India. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(3): 102-107.